Phytochemical Analysis of Selected Plant Leaves Consumed by the Folivory Bats in Tirunelveli
A.Krishnarathi, S.Suthakar Issac and M.Kannan
Abstract
The study was designed to determine the phytochemical constituents of leaves consumed by the folivory bats, Rousettus leschenaultia, Cynopterus sphinx and Pteropus giganteus. Leaves are not only an important dietary source of minerals, carbohydrates, protein and calcium, it also contain secondary metabolites. The objectives of the study was to determine the chemical constituents of selected five plant species leaves of Ficus religiosa, Erythrina indica, Coccinia grandis, Psidium guajava and Tamarindus indica. Phytochemical analysis of the crude extract of the plant leaves revealed the presence of Phenols, Alkaloids, Flavinoids, Saponin, Tannin, Triterpenoids, Phytosteroid and Glycosides. The distribution of these phytochemical constituents of the leaves was assessed and compared. All the leaves were found to contain flavonoids and alkaloids. The presents of phytochemicals may have the major role in physical and biochemical activities of bats.
Keywords: Folivory, phytochemical, Rousettus leschenaultia, Cynopterus sphinx and Pteropus giganteus